UNICEF and the Global Goals

UNICEF is committed to doing all it can to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in partnership with governments, civil society, business, academia and the United Nations family – and especially children and young people.

Early Childhood Development Kit

A Treasure Box of Activities

Children play with cognitive-development toys at an early childhood development centre in the town of Kisantu, some 150 km east of Kinshasa, the capital. UNICEF provides the centre with furniture and supplies, toys and teacher training.

The Early Childhood Development Kit was created to strengthen the response for young children caught in conflict or emergencies. In complement to basic services related to young children's hygiene and sanitation, health and nutrition, protection and education, the Kit offers young children access to play, stimulation and early learning opportunities and permits them to retrieve a sense of normalcy. Through this process, young children are in a protective and developmental environment for physical and mental health, optimal growth, lifelong learning, social and emotional competencies and productivity.

The Kit contains materials to help caregivers create a safe learning environment for up to 50 young children ages 0-8. Each item was carefully selected to help develop skills for thinking, speaking, feeling and interacting with others. Contents include: puzzles and games; counting circle and boxes to stack and sort; board books and puppets for storytelling; art supplies; soaps and water containers for promoting hygiene.

Inside the kit, caregivers will also find an easy-to-use Activity Guide filled with suggestions on how to use each item based on children’s age and interest. Additional web based supportive materials include a Trainer’s Guide and a Coordinator’s Guide. Together these provide programmers detailed guidance on all aspects of planning, implementing and evaluating the ECD Kit.